Base for machine or other light gun



May l2, 1942'. J. W. POYSA 2,282,742 BASE FOR MACHINE 0R oTHER LIGHT GUNS A Filed March 1, 1939 4 sheds-sheet 1 BASE FOR MACHINE OR OTHER LIGHT GUNS May l2, 1942. J. w. PoYsA 2,282,742

BASE FOR MACHINE OR OTHER LIGHT GUNS Filed March 1, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 12, 1942 J. w. PoYsA 2,282,742

BASE FOR MACHINE OR OTHER LIGHT GUNS Filed March 1, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May l2, i942 2,282,742 l BASE FOR MACHINE'OR OTHER LIGHT GUN .lohn W. Poysa, Los Angeles, Calif. Application March l', 1939, Serial No. 259,160

22 Claims.

My invention relates topa base'or mounting for ordnance, particularly of the type of a high angle iiring gun, especially of an anti-aircraft gun. My invention however depending on the size and the strength may be made \for a light type of gun such as a machine gun or of a heavy machine gun or where desired for a mounting for a larger gun ring a shell inserted in the breech for each shot.

One of the main objects and features of my invention is in the provision of a seat for the operator of the gun such as a machine gunner by which in all positions of a traverse of the gun in an arc of a circle or in the elevation of the .gun for low or high angle rlng the eyes of the machine gunner maybe held substantially in alignment with the sights of the gun. Therefore as the gu'n is swung in a circle for traversing the eld or re, the seat together with footrests for the machine gunner may also swing in a circle and further in the elevation of the Iline of re which maybe considered the vertical arc,'

the gun may shoot from a considerable inclination below the horizontal to within a few degrees of the vertical. By an interconnected mechanism for moving the gun in its vertical arc with the support for the seat and also foot rests,v .the-

seat is raised and lowered and also 'tilted so that the machine gunner is in the proper position for sighting on target, the seat incidentally having an inclinable backrest so that even in high angle ring the gunner is comfortably supported.

Considered in more detail as to the vertical arc of movement of the`gun and of themachine gunners seat and footrest. these may be manipulated by the gunner himself and my invention comprehends a main or single control wheel for the vertical arc of aiming a gun. `This wheel in a vertical plane operates a horizontal shaft, which shaft through the medium of a chain drive at one end and a pinion operating a rack, such seat with the tilting of the back rest involves aquadrant operated by a piniongearfrom the main elevation control shaft. This quadrant the medium of a crank and link actuates a parallelogram of links and levers, this having the function of raising and lowering the machine*- gunners seat, there being an extensionof a quadrilateral link and lever connection which automatically tilts the back and the seat to-accommodate the machine gunner in an upright position leaning slightly forward for low angle re to a reclining' position for high angle fire.

My invention further comprehends a link and lever connection for a foot rest actuated simul- -worm engages a worm wheel ona tubular support for the gun, however the operating' shaft and worm wheel are pivoted in the housing so of the gun and also forms the mounting for the that the worm may be quickly disengaged from and again engaged with the -worm `wheel. vWhen disengaged the upper part of the column supporting the gun may beswung freely on a vertical axis and in a complete circle. Then by engaging the worm with'the worm wheel and locking this in positionv a slow or more or less micrometer adjustment can be obtained for a vtraverse of the eld of fire rotating on the vertical axis and what might be considered as covering the horizontal or angle of re in a transverse arc. A

A further characteristic of my invention is the employment of a base mounting for a gun of the type described lwhich may be made ccmparatively light for alight weight .machine gun or heavy and substantial for larger guns but no matter what the size the assembly may be readily connected and disconnected for transport and moving from one placeto another; To obtain this result I have a foot construction which may be placed on or bolted to` a suitable ground structure or floor. This has a cylindrical pedestal extending upwardly and on the pedestal is mounted the hollow column' having the direct support for the yoke or other carriage 4forthe gun. The column also forms the supports for the seat and thev pivotal connection for the foot rest. This column also has journals for the main L horizontal shaft lwhich controls the elevation worm gear used to mesh with the worm on the rotates a rock shaft which in its turnthrough pedestal'for the traversing of the gun.

My invention also presents a characteristic of a brake which interacts between the pedestal and the column through which when the gunner is in line with a target as to his horizontal traverse he may readily lool: the column to the pedestall and thus continue the aiming and firing by tilting the gun in a single vertical plane. My invention also comprehends an adjustment for the gun as to the yoke on which it is mounted. This is a manual control. At the rear end of the yoke and in a convenient position so that the machine gunner can readily loosen a friction clip on a rod sliding through a mounting of the yoke and thus after he has made his main adjustrnents to correct the elevation or vertical angle of re he may make a more minute adjustment by'hand manipulation and thenlocls the gun or the gun carriage to the yoire in the desired position. My invention also comprehends a number of detail features of the construction hereunder specified in detail.

My invention is illustrated in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation taken in the direction of the arrow i of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2 in the direction of the ar rows. I 'Y Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line l-l of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows illustrating the disengageable worm with -the worm wheel for transverse movement ofthe gun carriage.

Fig. 5 is a detail elevation taken in the direction of the arrow 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 6 5 of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows illustrating the main shaft for elevation tilting of the gun and the latching equipment therefor.

Fig-'7 is a horizontal section on the line l-l' of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows illustrating the brake for clamping the column and hence the gun to the pedestal.

Fig. 8 is a vertical'section on the line S- of Fig. 3, certain of the interior parts being shown invelevation and broken away with the lift rod shown in elevation.

Fig. 9` is a vertical section on the line 9-3 of Fig. 3 in the direction of the arrows i'llustrating the main horizontal rock shaftand the parts connected thereto.

In my invention I have a supporting assembly I I which is indicated as having a conical shaped f oo't I2, this being curved outwardly and merging with a horizontal shoe plate I3. This latter gives considerable spread and with the foot a suiicient area to support the weight of the mounting and the gun carried thereby. This may be bolted or otherwise fastened to a foundation. The foot has an annular shoulder I5 and extending upwardly from this is a cylindrical pedestal I5, the pedestal terminating at a closed cap end I6 but having a right' angular recess il therebelow. In this recess there is a worm wheel gear I8 shrunk into place. The cap has a central perforation I9 for a purpose hereunder described.

The main column mounted on the pedestal and designated by the assembly numeral has a cylindrical inside surface 26 fitting over and forming a rotational fit on the cylindrical pedestal. This has a recess 26' at its lower portion and a lower edge 2l having a clearance above the shoulder It. The column has a cover plate or cap 2@ preferably formed integral therewith and is sup= asearea ported for rotation by a thrust shaft 29 seated on the cover i t and held in place by a set screw Sii which extends through the opening i9. A thrust sleeve 3i surrounds the shaft 29 and engages the underside of the cap 28 and rests on an anti-friction thrust bearing 32, this being illustrated as 'having a lower race resting on the cap it, an upper race engaging the thrust or spacing sleeve 3i with ball or suitable anti-friction bearings in-between; It will thus be seen that the column is free to rotate on the pedestal. The rotating gear drive designated by the assembly numeral 35, note particularly Figs. 3, 4 and 5, includes the following characteristics: the colextending locking plate it terminating in a lip 3i. The other side has a pair of ears 3E and ,between these there is a lower horizontal extending plate 3@ with a similar upper plate M, thus forming an opening di extending inwardly through the column to the worm gear i3. A gear journal block @E has an inner end block t6 mounted between vthe ears 33 by the pintle pin tl. The opposite or remotepend it has a cylindrical curvedface d@ conforming to the curve of the radius of the inside surface of the wall 3d. A recess Sli is constructed in the block t5 and this accommodates a worm 5l, this being secured to a hollow shaft 52 which is journalled in the block ends it and te, suchblock ends being connected preferably by a web 53. A hand wheel dit is secured to the shaft 52 vand by means of this the worm 5i and the worm gear i8 may be rotated.

The locking assembly 55 for the worm and worm gear includes a locking bolt 56 mounted in the remote end of the hollow shaft 52, this shaft y having a recessor enlargement 5l to accommoone end, the opposite end has a cam lever 'I3'v date the bolt. The bolt may engage in either of two bolt holes, 5t for the locked position and E@ for the open position. A stern 6B is connected to the bolt and has a finger grip head 6l thereon which is centrally, located as regards the wheel 5d: A compression spring 62 engages the base of the recess 5l! and the bolt 56 urging this into its locking or locked position. In the illustration of Fig. 4 the bolt and hence the journal block 45 and the worm 5i are shown in locked position with the worm in driving relationwith the Worm wheel It, however when it is desired to open this gear connection or drive the stem Ell relation with the worm wheel It. The worm wheel f i8 as above described is stationary and the column rotates around the center of the pedestal on which the worm of the wheel is concentric.

'I'he brake assembly designated 65, note particularly Figs. 1 and 7, has a brake band 66 encircling the lower portion of the pedestal above the shoulder It and fitting in the recess 26. This band has two end pieces 6l and 69, note Fig. 7, extending through an opening in the column 25. Suchncolumn is provided with a boss 69. A thrust thimble I0 engages the end flange El and a second thimble 'Il engages the end flange 68 of the brake band. A bolt l2 extends through these thimbles and through the flanged end of the brake drum, this having a head 'i3 at umn at one side is provided with an outwardly` connected thereto by the pivot pin l.. The head lb of thelever'is c shamd. The brake band is normally maintained in its open position by a spreading compression spring i@ coiled on the bolt l2 and thrusting outwardly on the anged ends Si and SS. When the lever is in the fulll vline position ci Fig. l the brake is unlocked, the

clamp on the lower part of the pedestal and. thereby hold the column from rotation. The coiumn may he thus held stationary whether or no the worm di 'and worm wheel' i8 are in engagement or not.

The hoisting and tilting mechanism for the gun and the gun carriage designated by the assembly numeral 8@ includes a vertical guide channel 8i in the column and this is illustrated as opposite the side having the ope for the journal block de and the worm 5i. This channel is illustrated square in cross .section having the side walls 82 and 83; and the end wall 54. Operating in this guide channel 8i there is the vertical hollow r'ack 85. This is also square in cross section and has rack teeth Se on its outer face which mesh with a pinion 8l. This is mounted circular so that the handle nts snugly cn the rim of the hand wheel. This handle then when the brake is inthe off position may be utilized for rotating the wheel HB2. When the rack 35 is raised or lowered to the desired position the handle i22 is then pulled inwardly, that is, towards the axis of the wheel, turning on the pivot 23 and exerting a tension on the link H8 which causes a rocking 'of the cam lit developing a cam pressure against one end of the hollow shaft ilu andvexerting a tension or pull on the brake applying rod H and hence a friction pressure on a pinion shaft ed, note Figiimounted and .iournalled in a gear case QQ, the gear case being molded'in the outer wall at ofnthe guide channel. This rack has an eye ad atthe. top iol' a purpose hereiniderY described.

Thedrive assembly Q5 for the pinion @l andiv for itsshaft 88 includes a sprocket gear et on the shaft se outsidepi the scari housing Qt. This is actuated by a sprocket vchain lillustrated -as coed within thechandygear housing S8, note Fig. l. The driving sprocket 99, noteFig. 6, is mounted on a tubular shaft it@ which is journalled in a long ,ical v' Edi formed integral withand extending laterally channel Si. This"-shait has a am. wheel 92 mounted on its opposite end. There are tensioning idlers it to maintain vthe sprocket chain atA the propertension, these being not illustrated in detail. It will therefore he seen that by rotac tion of the hand wheel idd the hollow shaft it@ of the end il@ of the friction strip ill against the endof the shaft iut. 'This is sucient to hold the rack with the weight supported thereon at any elevation at which the brake may be applied. Manifestly the brake'-may be quickly released hy bringing the handle i22 to the full line position of Fig. 6 and using this or the rim 826 to rotate the hand wheel and hence the shaft it. c

A gun supporting carriage E3B, note particularly Figs. l and 3, includes a supporting block i3! which has a pair of ears i32 depending therefrom with a pivot pin H33 extending through said ears and through the eye 90 on the upper end of the rack bar 85. An armV 836 extends laterally from the ears and has a cam shaped extension i'with an elongated curved slot 36 therethrough. Through this slot extends a iixed guide pin` i3? which is mounted on a stud 938 extending upwardly from' the top 'creep 2t of the-hollow'column 25, thus as the rack bar 85 is raised and lowered elevating or lowering the carriage i3d whichispivoted by the pivot i33, there is a tilting and a rocking action; of the carriage caused byv the guide pin iti operating inthe curves-cam sico ist. The ena of the sint limits the tilt and'hence practically the high anglev position of thel gun. i The carriage has a circular center hub it@ terminating at the bottom in a shoulderfidi and on this is fitted a-double yoke irthisyoke having a hub or central section.

' it and isjheld in place by a cover `'cap idi is rotated, hence the driving sprocketthe'.,

sprocket chain al, thence the driven sprocket @t and the shaft @d with its pinion 8l! thus causing an up and down movement ofthe rauh bar @do The locking brake it@ for the liiting and lowering assembly, note particulars Fig. 6,' includes a friction brake strap iii which lhas its 'inner 4 end it secured to one side oi'the iournal boss iti. This has e friction end portioniii bearing against the end oi' the hollow shaft 6d@ opposite the hand wheel Het'. a brano applying and rel. leasing rod Ml extendsthrough the hollow shaft it@ through the enel. it@ and has a washer nut and lock nut assembly iid, the washer bearing against the end MS. A reching cani im is pivoted at till to the rod iid. aguil link itt. is pivoted at ii@ to this rocking cani. The opposite end oi' the link is pivoted at 029 to an arm iii projecting from a handle 02d. rillus handle is pivoted at 923 to the rim of the hand wheel isi. This rim designated 0228 is illustrated as circular in cross section, a portion ci the handle 22 having an inside surface 025 winch is also re c l5 uueaueu imo a recess are in the aub sie of the from the @011mm 25 and-1mm? Side Opposite the. l carriage' andlocked as to rotation by a hand op erated set screw ist. This yoke has double-'forward arms i5@ curved upwardly and double rear arms H56 which extend'rearwardl'y. ,Thesedouf ble. arms each terminate, one in an eye 52, note Fig. 8, having an annulairecess 'andthe other in a' circular eye B53. Between these eyes is ntted a sleeve itilv having a reduced end 655 iitting in the eye- E53 and having a head end ld tting'in the recessed eye i52. The sleeve has aligned openings itil through-which extends an 'n elevating rod idd-note Figs.. 1,-3 and 8. For purends ist when the nutlid is tightenedV on the stud it, it gives a reaction ci a pull on the block lei and a relative thrust on the sleeve i515, thus clamping the rod itil which passes through the opes in the block and the sleeve at such openings. This rod it@ has a finger grip operating head i6@ at the bottom and an eye it? at the top for purposes hereunder detailed.

The opposite end i5@ of the yoke is connected to the machine gun assembly designated ile, note Figs. 2 and 3 by providing thumb screws llt which engage through each of the arms of the yoke end le@ and these passing through ears i'll on the machine gun case designated ll. n the particular type of machine gun illustrated the pistol hand grip is designated ilii, the cooling tank ld, the muzzle of the barrel liil projecting, the sights include the iront sight ldZ and the assembly of rear sights 533. It is manifest however that the machine 4gun design may vary considerably. The rear end of the machine gun case is connected to theelevating rod it@ by means of the pin idd engaging in the eye itl of the rod and being pivoted in downwardly projecting ears liii.

The raising and lowering seat assembly designated 39d includes a duadrilateral system of linkages itl, this having an upper link i922, note particularly Figs. l and 3, this lbeing connected by a rock shaft 593 journaled in an elongated boss teil. A lower link i195 is pivoted to the column by a pintle it, this also being mounted 4ina substantial journal boss.l An end link itl connects the upper and lower links i 92 and idd by a pintle 98 and i239. An arm 2d@ is mounted on one end or" the rock shaft le@ and is positioned to have a movement at one side of the column 25 and to the lower end of this arm. there is connected an operating link 263i by means of the connecting l pintle 282, this link extending along the side oi the column 25 and being operated as hereunder detailed.

An additional system of linkage 205, note Fig. l,

vemploys an upper link 2% mounted on the pintle itt. A short inclined. arm Zil'l with a bottom link 268 is connected to the short arm by the pintle 2da A post di@ lconnects to the bottom link 2te by a pintle 2i i and to the upper link 2te by a pintle 2i2. The post has a head plate @i3 at the top and to this is attached the seat 295. This seat is illustrated as having a curved seat bottom Zit and is prefer-ably made of metal, the sides and the front ofthe seat being provided with a curled rim 2li. Manifestly any suitable type of seat may be mounted on the post 2id. The seat back 22@ has a spring strap EN which is attached to the seat at theback and the bottom and also preferably to the head plate 2id. The upper end of the spring has a backrest 222. It is of course apparent that these may be padded where desired.

The operating equipment to raise and lower and automatically tilt the seat and seat back through the medium of operating the link 2li is by the seat operating assembly designated -by the assembly numeral 233, note particularly Figs. l, 2, 3 and 6. This employs a pinion 23H, Fig. 6, attached to the hollow shaft iii@ adjacent the hand wheel H12. This meshes with a pivoted quadrant gear 232 which has a set of quadrant teeth 233 and a protecting band 23d spaced from the teeth, thus leaving an open space 235 to accommodate the gear 231. For sake of lightness the quadrant gear is preferably made with two spokes 23d and 23? at its opposite ends and at the hub portion 23B' is connected to a substantial rock shaft 25m. This rock shaft is journalled in brackets 2d! note Figs. l and 2 which extend outwardly from the column 25, the'rock shaft being slightly spaced from the end wall dfi of the vertical channel di. Attached to the rock shaft there is an operating radial arm M2 which is connected to the link Zili by a pivot M3.

By 'this construction it will be seen that when and the machine gun.

the main operating wheel W2' is rotated either by the machine gunner or an assistant engaging the rim ld by his hand or grasping the handle i2?, the gear 23H is rotated. This produces an oscillating movement either up or down of the quadrant gear 232, the teeth of the pinion end of the quadrant always meshing and as the protecting band 234i is always outside of the gear 23E, there is no danger of the operator or his clothing or ranything becoming caught between the gears. This rocking movement of the quadrant of course gives a rocking movement of. the rock shaft 2d@ `and hence of the arm 2d?, therefore developing a longitudinal and substantially reciprocating movement of the link 2M. This link through the medium of the arm mi@ which is attached to the rock shaft ldd gives an up and down pivoting movement to the upper link i932 and a similar movement is communicated to the lower link 95, by the end link it?. Due to the arcuate and oscillating movement of the upper link 92 mani-l festly the short arm @lll of the secondary system of linkage 2% also operates and develops a tilting movement of the links Edi, 29d and the post 2id. This action causes a positive tilt of the post 2id, the post being shown in' the vertical position of Fig. i in which instance the seat may be considered as horizontal. This tilt may incline the post 2id to tilt the seat slightly forward when a machine gun is pointing downwardly and to tilt the seat decidedly backwardly when the machine gun is aiming at a high elevation for high `angle zdre.

As above mentioned the movement of the machine gun is operated by the same main shaft it@ and through the medium vof the sprocket gear'iiii, the sprocket chain assembly 95 and the gear sprocket/.wheel d@ which actuates the pinion di, the rack bar t5 is worked up and down causing a traversal of the arm i3d and its cam shaped 'end ist in relation to the fixed guide pin lil,

hence as the machine gun is tilted through the medium of tilting the yoke assaembly llii the seat and seat back are simultaneously tilted.

The foot rest assembly 253, note particularly Figs. l, 2 and 3, includes a short arm 2.5i which is connected to the rock shaft Zilli, this being mounted between the brackets @di and preferably substantially centered in alignment with the vertical guide channel di. A link 252 is connected by a pintle to the arm gril and at its lower end operates a bell crank 254i, this bell crank having the elbow idd mounted on a pivot 256 mounted in a bracket 25? extending from the rear wall iid of the channel di, the upper arm 258 or" the bell crank being connected to the bottom end of the link Q52 by the pivot 25g. The lower arm of the bell crank 2t@ has a curved straddle bar Edi rigidly connectedjthereto, 'this preferably being diverted rearwardly at a slight inclination towards the seat as illustrated in Figs. l and 3. A pair of stirrups or foot rests 2t? extend laterally from the ends of this straddle bar. lt will be seen therefore that the straddle bar dei andthe stirrups thus'straddle the conical shaped foot i2 which supports the pedestal. i Therefore the machine gunner when sitting in the seat may comfortably rest his feet on the stirrups, the operators feet thus straddling the pedestal and this foot rest being released in a convenient position no matter the tilt given to the seat and seat back It is obvious that as the rock shaft ddii rotates this being actuated by the main hand wheel 302 in the manner above desighated, that there is an arcuate swing of the short aasavic arm 25H, hence a longitudinal movement oi the link 252 and a pivoting movement of the bell crank 25d which manifestly causes an arcuate movement of the stirrups 262 and these stirrups move to .bring the operators feet into a comfortable position in reference to his body no matter how low or high the seat is positioned and nc matter what the tilt of the seat. 'Therefore the movement of thecseat, the stirrups and theture `for a gun, a rod-like structure mounted thereon for vertical movement, a gun carriage pivotally connected to the upper end of the rodlike structure, the gun carriage having means for attaching a gun, a cam arm rigidly attached to the gun carriage and engaging a iixed guide on the supporting structure, means to raise and lower the rod-like structure to thereby raise and lower the gun carriage and simultaneously tilt such carriage in reference to a horizontal plane. 2. In a device as described and claimed in claim l, a seat operating assembly including links pivotally connected to the supporting structure of a gun with means forl attaching a seat thereto, a drive connection from the means for raising and lowering the rod-like structure to the said links to tilt such links and 'thereby raise and lower the seat and at the same time ltilt the seat in accordance with the raising and lowering and tilting movement of the gun carriage and hence the gun.

3. In a device as described, the combination of a base having a cylindrical pedestal extending thereabove with a closed cap at the top of the pedestal, a column having an inside cylinder with a cylindrical contact surface over the cylindrical pedestal, said column-having a cover cap spaced above-the tcp of the pedestal, a support for the column on the pedestal including a thrust rotatably mounted on the main column, means to rotate said shalt and a driving connection between the shaft and means to raise and lower said bar, a system of parallel motion links having a pivotal connection to the column, a secondary system of angular motion links pivotally connected to said first system and having a seat mounted thereon'and an actuating connection from the said main shaft to operate the rst system of links during the rotation of the shaft andhence the raising, tilting and lowering ci the seat as the gun carriage is tilted.

6. In a device as described, the combination of a vertical pedestal cylindrical on the outside,

a main column tted thereover and having an internal bearing therewith, means forming a rotation and thrust bearing between the column and the pedestal, a bar mounted Vfor vertical guided movement onvthe column, a gun carriage pivoted to the upper end of the bar, a cam means interconnecting the gun carriage and the column to tilt the gun carriage on the lifting and lowering of `the bar and a main shaft rotatably mounted on the main column, means to rotate said shaft and a driving connection between the shaft and means to raise and lower said bar, a system of parallel motion links having a pivotal connection to the column, a secondary system of angular motion links pivotally connected to said first system and having a seat mounted thereon and an actuating connection from the said main shaft to Yoperate the iirst system of links during the rotation of the shaft and hence the raising, lowering and tilting of the seat as the gun carriage is tilted, a foot rest assembly having c a lever pivoted to the column and having foot shaft attached to the cap of the pedestal and v extending through and attached tothe cap of the column, a thrust sleeve surrounding said shaft and a thrust bearing engaging the end ci the sleeve whereby the sleeve and hence the column mai,7 rotate relative to the pedestal and the said thrust shaft and means for `mounting a gun operatively connected to the said column.

4. In a device as described, a pedestal' having a main column, a vertical guide on the column, a vertical rack guided therein, a gun carriage having a pivotal connection to the rack,

an arm rigidly connected to the carriage and having a cam extension, a cam guide secured to the col and means mounted on the column for raising and lowering the said rack and thereby changing the inclination of the gun carriage. Y

5. In a device as described, the combination of a vertical pedestal. cylindrical on the outside,

a main column tted thereover and having an internal bearing therewith, means forming-a rotation and thrust bearing between the column and the pedestal, a bar mounted for vertical guided movement on the column, a gun car-l riage pivoted to the upper end of the bar, a

cam means interconnecting the gun carriage and the column to tilt the gun carriage on the liftrests mounted on a yoke whereby the gunner in sitting on the seat straddles the pedestal with hisfeet engaging the foot rests and a link connection to the'means for operating the first set of links to simultaneously pivotthe foot rest in conjunction with the movement ci the seat.

7. In a device as described, a main column, a first system of parallel motion linkshaving one portion thereof pivotally connected to the column,l a second set of angular motion links pivoted to the first set of links and a seat mounted on the second set, means mounted on the column to move the irst set of links and a pivot connection between one oi the links of the ilrst set and one of the links of the second set to give the second set an angular motion while the iirst set of links have a parallel motion to raise, lower and tilt the seat, a foot rest assembly having a yoke with. foot rests with a pivotal connection to' the main column, an actuating connection between the means to move the iirst set of links and the Vyoke to swing the yoke on.

its pivot whereby the foot rests on the yoke move toward a' position in iront of the seat and below the same when the seat is raised and recede from the seat when the seat is lowered.

v 8. In a device as described; the combination of a supporting structure, a raising and lowering device mounted thereon, a gun carriage having a pivotal connection to the raising and lowering device, such carriage being adapted for mounting a gun, means interconnecting the gun carriage and the supporting structure to change the inclination of the carriage as to the horizontal as it is raised and lowered,- a seat, a series of intei-connected links with pivotal connections between the spporting structure and the seat. a main operating means mounted on the supportmg and lowering of the 'par and a main shaft-,- 75 ing structure, a rst driving connectioniron the said main operating means to the lifting and lowering device to raise and lower the same and a second driving connection from 'the said main operating means to raise, lower and tilt the seat whereby as the gun carriage and the gun mounted thereon is depressed below the horizontal, the seat is raised and brought nearer the end of the carriage and when the gun carriage and its gun is elevated to a steep inclination upwardly, the seat is lowered at the same time approaching a lvertical line through the pivotal mounting of the gun carriage and the seat is tilted rearwardly.

9. In a device as described, the combination of a supporting structure, a raising and lowering device mounted thereon, a gun carriage having a pivotal connection to the raising and lowering device, such carriage being adapted for mounting a gun, means interconnecting the gun carriage and the supporting structure to change the inclination of the carriage as to the horizontal .as it is raised and lowered, a seat, a series of interconnected links with pivotal connections between the supporting structure and the seat, a main operating means mounted on the supporting structure, a iirst driving connection from the said main operating means to the lifting and lowering device to raise and lower the same and a second driving connection from the said main operating means to raise, lower and tilt the seat whereby as the gun carriage and the gun mounted thereon is depressed below the hori- Zontal, the seat is raised and brought nearer the end of the carriage and when the gun carriage and its gun is elevated to a steep inclination upwardly, the seat is lowered at the same time appreaching a vertical line through the pivotal mounting of the gun carriage and the seat is tilted rearwardly, a foot lever having a pivotal connection to the supporting structure and provided with foot rests for the gunner sitting on the seat to engage with his feet and a driving connection from the main operating means to the said foot lever to tilt same on its pivot whereby as the seat is raised the foot rests approach the iront of the seat but therebelow and when the seat is lowered and tilted,-'backwardly, the foot rests recede forwardly from the seat.

l0. In a device as described, the combination oi a central supporting structure adapted for mounting of a gun thereon, a seat mounting including a iirst set of links with a pair of upper and lower parallel links pivotally connected to said central structure and a third link connected to the rst and second links and parallel to the axis ci the central structure, a second set of angular motion links having a pivotal connection to the iirst set of links and an operating connection with said iirst set, a seat mounted on the second set, a root support assembly including an arm pivotally connected to the central structure and having foot rests whereby a gunner sitting on the seat may rest his feet on such foot rests, a main shaft with an operating means readily accessible to the gunner, a quadrant gear having a driving connection with such shaft, a first operating connection between the quadrant gear and the first parallel motion links and a second operating connection between the pivoted arm and the foot rests and 'the said quadrant gear whereby on operation of said shaft and when the seat is raised for a downward nring of a gun, the foot rests approach the 'front of the seat but below the same and when the seat is lowered and assente tilted for directing nre upwardly the foot rests recede forwardly from the front of the seat.

ll. ln a device as described, the combinationv of a base having a pedestal, a column rotatably mounted thereon, a gun carriage operatively supported on the column, such carriage having means for mounting a gun, a gear and worm operatively connected between the column and the pedestal for rotation of the column in reference to the pedestal, the worm being journalled in a pivoted journal block, means to rotate the worm, a locking means for the block whereby the said journal block may be locked with the yworm and gear in mesh or in the second position in the plane of the gear with the worm out of mesh with the gear, the gun carriage being attached to arod-like structure vertically slidable in the column, a earn arm rigidly connected to the carriage and engaging a xed guide on the column and means operatively connected to the column to raise and lower the rcd-like structure and hence raise and lower and simultaneously tilt the gun carriage with the gun mounted thereon.

l2. in a device as described, the combination of a vertical pedestal having an outside cylindrical surface, a main column fitted thereover, means forming a rotation and thrust bearing between the column and the pedestal, a bar mounted for vertical guide movement on the'column, a gun carriage pivoted to the upper end of the bar, an arm rigidly connected to the carriage and having a cam extension, a cam guide secured to the column and means mounted on the column for raising and lowering the bar and thereby changing the inclination of the gun carriage.

13. In a device as described having a support combined with a seat assembly including a quadrilateral system of linkages with parallel upper and lower links pivoted to the support by pivots a nxed distance apart, a nal link pivotally connected by outer pivots to the upper and lower links and of the same length between its pivots as the distance between the pivots of the upper and lower links to the support, an angular set of motion links having a iirst link pivoted to one of said outer pivots, a second link pivoted to one of the parallel links, a post pivotally connected to the first and the second links, a seat mounted on the post and means connected to the quadrilateral link system to swing the upper, lower and final links in an arc and thereby raise, lower and tilt the angular motion set of links and the seat.

14. 1n a device as described having a support combined with a seat assembly including a quadrilateral system of linkages with parallel upper and lower links pivoted to the support by pivots aflxed distance apart, a iinal link pivotally connected by outer pivots to the upper and lower links and of the same length between its pivots as the distance between the pivots of the upper and lower links to the support, an angular set of motion links having a first link pivoted to one of said outer pivots, a second link pivcted to one of the parallel links, a post pivotally connected to the rst and the second links, a seat mounted-on the post and means connected to the quadrilateral link system to swing the upper, lower and iinal links in an arc and thereby raise, lower and tilt the angular motion set of links and the seat, a foot rest pivotally connected to the support, a lever and linkage connection between the foot rest and the quadrilateral link systemy to shift the foot rest in synchronism with the seat to appreachy the underside of the seat as the seat raises and to recede forward from the seat as the seat lowers.

15. In a device as described the combination of a support having a rotatable shaft mounted thereon with means to rotate such shaft, a seat assembly including a pair of links pivoted to the said support, a third link pivoted by outer pivots to the pair of links, a second assembly of links including a fourth link connected to one of the outer pivots, a fth link pivoted to one of the pair of links, a post pivoted to the outer ends of the fourth and fifth links, a seat mounted on the post, a connecting link and rocker arm assembly between the said shaft and the pair of links to move the pair of links in an arcuate path on rotation of the shaft and hence raise, lower and tilt the seat.

16. In a device as described the combination f a support having a rotatable shaft` mounted thereon with means to rotate such shaft, a seat assembly including a pair of links pivoted to the said support, a third link pivoted by outer pivots to the pair.v of links, a second assembly of links including a fourth link connected to one of the outer` pivots, a fifth link pivoted to one of the pair of links, a post pivoted to the outer ends of the fourth and fth links, a seat mounted on the post, a connecting link and rocker arm assembly between the said shaft and the pair of links to move the pair of links in an arcuate path on rotation of the shaft and hence raise, lower and tilt the seat, a foot rest having a bell crank pivoted to the support, a crank connected to the said shaft and a link between said latter crank and the bell crank to move the foot rest upward and towards the seat as the seat raises and downward and from the seat as the seat lowers.

17. In a device as described, a column, a first system of links having a pivotal connection to the column for a movement in a vertical arc, a

secondset of angular motion links pivotally connected to the rst set of links, a seat mounted on the second set of links, means mounted on the column to move the first set of links in an arcuate motion, a pivotal connection between one of the links of the rst set and one of the links of the second set to give the second set a different angular motion when the first set of links move in a vertical arc to thereby raise, lower and tilt the seat, a foot rest assembly having a yoke with a foot rest with a pivotal connection to the column, an actuating connection between the means to move the first set of links and the yoke to swing the yoke on its pivot whereby the foot rests on the yoke move toward a position in front of the seat and below the same when the seat is raised and recedes forwardly from the seat when the seat is lowered.

18. In a device as described, a column, a system of links having their inner ends pivotally connected to the column and a seat mounted on the outer end of the system, means to move the links in a vertical plane, the system of links being connected to raise, lower and tilt the seata foot rest assembly having an arm pivoted to the column with foot rests thereon, an actuating connection between the means to move said system of links and the arm to swing the arm in its pivot whereby the foot rest on the arm moves toward a position in front of and below the seat when the seat is raised and recedes forwardly carriage pivotally connected to the upper end of the rod, a cam arm rigidly connected to the gun carriage, a fixed cam guide on the support engaged by the cam arm, a rst system of links having a` pivotal connection to the support for a movement in a vertical arc, a second set of angular motion links pivotally connected to the first set of links, a seat mounted on the second'set of links, a foot rest having an arm pivoted to the support, a rotatable. shaft on the support, a rst operating means actuated by the shaft to raise and lower the said rod, a second operating connection from the shaft to move the set of links Iin arcuate motion and thereby raise, lower and tilt the seat, a third operating connection from the shaft to the foot rest arm to oscillate such foot rest on its pivot whereby as the seat raises the foot rest moves towards a position in front of and below the seat and recedes forwardly when the seat is lowered and with the simultaneous movement ofthe seat the gun. carriage tilts, the carriage being adapted for mounting a gun with the rear end always maintained approximately the same distance from the seat.

20. In a device as described, a support, a shaft rotatably mounted therein, a driving connection from the shaft, a hand wheel connected to the shaft and having a rim for rotation of the shaft, a handle pivotally connected to the rim, a link pivotally connected to the handle, a brake applying and releasing mechanism connected to the link and the shaft, the handle being pivoted to the rim to occupy a position in a plane transverse to the shaft with the brake on or a position parallel to the shaft with the brake off.

21. In a device as described, a support, a shaft rotatably mounted therein, a driving connection from the shaft, a hand wheel connected to the shaft and having a rim for rotation of the shaft, a handle pivotally connected to the rim, a link pivotally connected to the handle, a brake applying and releasing mechanism connected to the link and the shaft, the handle being pivoted to the rim to occupy a position in a plane transverse to the shaft with the brake on or a position parallel to the shaft with the brake off, the brake mechanism including a rod slidable lengthwise in the shaft, a cam pivotally connected to the rod and to the link and contacting one end of the shaft, the rod having a friction brake device operatively connected thereto and to the support to develop a brake action on the end of th'e shaft opposite that having the hand wheel.

22. A device as described, the combination of a pedestal, a column rotatably mounted thereon and adapted for reception of a gun carriage, a gear on the pedestal, a rotational drive for the column including the )column having an open sided journal block pivoted thereto on a pivot parallel to the axis of the column, a hollow shaft journaled in the journal block at its opposite end, a worm on the shaft in the open side of the journal block to engage with the gear, a hand wheel connected to the shaft for rotation of the same, the column having a locking plate with a bolt hole, a bolt slidably mounted in the hollow shaft and having a stem extending through the shaft with a head located adjacent the hand wheel, a spring reacting against the shaft and the bolt to latch tl'ie bolt in the bolt hole for a driving connection, the locking plate having a second means to engage the bolt and to retain the journal block and the worm out of driving relation to the gear.

JOHN W. POYSA. 

